Buying the Best Mountain Bike Saddles: A Complete Buyer’s Guide for 2019

Our number one rated saddle comes in carbon and has been designed by Specialized.

It’s been created especially for those looking to ride light, the lightweight design is sleek and comfortable. They’ve tackled the seat from every angle- offering sufficient padded comfort whilst also ensuring that it is stiff and able to withstand vibrations from the ride.

Enjoy a complete snug fit, with this carbon saddle for your mountain bike. It’s ideal for all-day riding and can be embraced during all mountain biking.

Comes equipped with superlight EVA padding, low friction panels for longer rides and also has strong oversized rails to intercept the impact.

This unique saddle has been cultivated by the experienced brand, Selle San Marco. With a cut-out and rare shape, it is a sought-after saddle that provides structure and flexibility, all at the same time

Again, it is a bespoke saddle that’s been engineered to provide all-day comfort whilst also adapting to trails. It has central relief, which takes any unwanted stress off it.

Boasting impressive technology, the Mantra saddle remembers your shape- and moulds to your body type.

What’s it made from? It has a great combination of silicon, titanium and carbon fibres. Meshed together, the materials provide a strong and a lightweight design.

After trialling the saddle, we believe that although the brand hasn’t specified, it is catering for lighter riders.

There’s no super-squishy padding, it is a firm style and works well for fast trails.

Do you love to ride extreme trails that incorporate steep hills and bumpy tracks?

Then you will enjoy the engineering of this Fizik saddle. The model comes with a streamline design and has been created as a long nose saddle.

It can take the strain and vibrations away from the ground with its rails and shape. The tail flex absorbs the shock and keeps you comfortable.

The reason we love this Fizik Gobi M3K is because it has premium technology and shock-absorbing qualities. Worldwide MTB enthusiasts have appreciated subtle adjustments to the overall build, the shell of the seat flex to allow the inner thighs to move whilst riding. This allows full leg movement and not only is it comfortable it can potentially improve performance.

It’s a brand that does nothing by halves, their experts have been working hard in the lab, ensuring that there’s reason for every minor detail. That includes the material, that is made up of glass, co-injected nylon and alloy rails, that are lighter than titanium.

Celebrated by a number of well-known athletes, this Ergon saddle is had a lot to live up to. It is one used during competition by many.

You don’t need to compete, in order to enjoy professional standards. The saddle comes with a lightweight seat, durable rails and shaped perfectly for downhill rides.

It’s ideal for mountain biking, with its ability to soften the bumps. Ergon have ensured that it not only brandishes ‘comfy’ padding but is also equipped to tackle all riding. You can enjoy all of your favourite trails throughout the UK, as it is comfortable during all angles.

The long nose design allows you to wriggle back when needed, it’s setup for those that enjoy enduro trails, you can climb the steep inclines or ride down them without hassle.

Comes with TiNox rails, a MicroFibre cover, AirCell foam padding and is the perfect pick for those that love gravity, MTB and enduro riding.

More than a tantalising style, this seat is just as practical as it is elegant. WTB caught our attention and we knew that we had to trail it for ourselves.

Rather than taking people’s word for it, we like to run real tests. We trialled the saddle during a number of routes and also used it on various frames.

It was pleasing to see how easy the saddle can be fixed onto most bikes, it also comes in a quality build. It doesn’t just look beautiful; it has an assortment of premium features that make it comfortable and performance enhancing.

This is the next generation of saddles. Don’t overlook the capabilities that a brilliant saddle has, they can make or break many cyclists during their ride.

Our favourite specification is its shape, it is subtly rounded and is like sitting on heaven. WTB also carved out some impressive technology, offering microfiber covers, the perfect width for most and a design that allows you to push it into your preferred position.

If you’re all about comfort and performance then you will want to consider this lightweight, padded saddle by WTB.

The self-proclaimed, king of acceleration has created a buzz in the MTB community. After hearing lots about this particular saddle, we thought that it was time to put it to use.

SDG are a well-known brand and when they announced this saddle, we certainly sat up and took notice. With that said, no one component gets an automatic recommendation. We like to try to break these products down and that’s why we put this saddle under the magnifying glass.

After many of the claims that have been circulating, we were expecting a lot.

It is stiff, light and was originally labelled a road saddle. Since then, it has became even lighter and this model now extends to a number of sporting elements.

This includes mountain biking, road racing and enduro-racing.

Again, the SDG circuit is another saddle that offers Kevlar corners and streamline designs. It allows you to put the bike to the test at speed.

One of the most obscure saddles on the list. It features a distinctive split nose design.

We’ll go on to explain the reason for this, but it’s key to note that this saddle model has developed over recent years. ISM have taken the padding away from the nose purposely, in order to ensure no unnecessary pressure is applied to you when seated.

From the padding to the size of the seat, it has been meticulously designed and has been created to help you improve your performance. You can ride all day with this seat, thanks to its split nose and length that allows you to ride uphill.

For what you lose on the front of the seat, you can gain on the back. The split relieves pressure and the back of the saddle offers extra padding, sure to keep you comfortable throughout your adventure.

Maximise blood-flow, rid of numbness and enjoy fast speeds with this professional-like saddle. Much of the emphasis of this innovation, is on the pelvic positioning, rather than the sit bones. ISM’s argument is that riders don’t actually sit on their ‘sit bones’ and instead put unwanted pressure on their pelvis.

It’s difficult to pinpoint the best saddles on the market. It was also hard not to include a compilation of all Specialized’s components. They have got it spot on with their saddle designs and the Henge Comp edition is an example of that.

As you set your eyes on this saddle, it becomes immediately apparent that it is a firmer design. Not everybody enjoys the super-soft gel padding. If you like a harder seat then you’ll love this choice.

That’s not to say that it hasn’t got padding. It comes with extra level 3 padding and protects you from the vibrations.

Finer details such as low friction properties enable you to get on and off the saddle, completely hassle free, it also makes the entire riding experience as smooth as possible.

Lightweight, aesthetically pleasing, comfort technology and reasonably priced. What more could you ask for? It is ideal for MTB lovers of all sizes!

You didn’t think we’d forgotten about the prestigious Nukeproof outfit, did you?

We trialled a number of their saddles and other components, one part that really stuck out to us, was this Nukeproof vector DH Comp saddle.

It’s for riders that merely wish to embrace the British views and talked-about trails but it is also perfect for comp bikers. If you are a competitive mountain bike cyclist, you’ll love what this saddle offers.

Designed and influenced by the fighter jet, it has aerodynamic properties that include both speed and comfortability. If you want dynamic, durable and snug, then this saddle is ideal and it can be bought at great value.

Aside to the advanced properties that this pick possesses, we were mostly impressed by how much you get for your money. If you are looking for a saddle under £30, then you have found one!

Nukeproof are a renowned company, consistently generating high quality, affordable products.

Since we’re on the subject of great value saddles, let’s take a look at this Pro edition. Streamlined and built for serious MTB’ers, it comes with everything that you need to be comfortable for hours.

There are subtle engineering tactics behind this saddle, including a cutout design. The middle of the seat has a cutout section created to increase blood flow, relieve pressure and increase overall comfort.

The padded polyurethane protects your coccyx and lumbar area. Comfort of your backside should not be compromised, it’s something that the experienced mountain bikers are complete aware of.

Thankfully companies such as PRO are going far and wide, to do the due diligence when engineering.

Make the most of the dynamic, modernised seat that is sturdy and ready to accompany you on your venture.